Michael Pearson, a partner at Jackson Walker, has been inducted into the 2025 Lawdragon Hall of Fame. Pearson chaired the firm’s energy practice group for over 30 years and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Texas Law.
Ronald E. Mendoza, a partner with Davis, Cedillo & Mendoza in San Antonio, has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in the United States and Canada.
Urban “Obie” O’Brien passed away July 26, 2024. O’Brien joined the campaigns to elect U.S. Rep. Mike Andrews and U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, worked for George Mitchell in the oil and gas industry, and later joined Apache Corporation and Raymond Plank.
Ralph Huston passed away on August 1, 2024. Although the ability to help people with his law degree was important to him, his true passion was music.
Linda Broock’s new film “Unleashed” will be shown at the Waco Independent Film Festival. The film, which investigates the harsh world of sex trafficking, has been nominated for the Best Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature awards.
John Varner passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Varner practiced law at three different firms, and co-founded Genprex, Inc., a biotechnology company fighting cancer and diabetes. He served as Genprex’s president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.
Stephen R. Pattison has joined Hunton Andrews Kurth as a special counsel. Pattison is a business immigration attorney and a former U.S. State Department senior foreign service officer, focusing his practice on the representation of corporate and individual clients on business immigration, consular processing and individual immigration matters.
Marvin Blum has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in trusts and estates law, making this his ninth year being selected for the honor. Blum is the founder of The Blum Firm, the largest group of estate planning attorneys in Texas.
Josiah M. Daniel III has published “Cooptation of the Carmack Amendment by the Railroads, 1906-1917: A Study in Associational Lawyering” in the Kentucky Law Review and “AI Chatbots Are Useless for Bankruptcy Lawyering” in The Texas Lawbook. Daniel is a retired partner in residence of Vinson & Elkins and a visiting scholar of the History Department of the University of Texas at Austin.
Jim Hill has been recognized as the 2024 Best Lawyers in America‘s Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” in San Diego. Hill is a founding member of Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group.
Jim Hill has been selected as a 2023 Super Lawyer in the area of Bankruptcy: Business. A 17-year veteran of Super Lawyers, Hill is currently a shareholder at Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel and practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law.
Jim Hill has been recognized by San Diego Magazine as a 2023 Top Lawyer in San Diego in the field of bankruptcy. A founding member of Sullivan Hill, he is chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group and a member of its Executive Committee.
Bradley Bingham passed away on Oct. 20, 2022. Bingham was a double Longhorn, having also earned his bachelor’s degree from UT. Bingham worked as a civil defense attorney in Houston before, e and his wife founded their own law firm, Bingham, Mann & House, in 2006.
Talmage Boston has been selected to receive the 2023 Luther “Luke” H. Soules III Award for Excellence in Litigation, presented by the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. The honor is given to an attorney who embodies excellence in the practice of the law and exemplary service to the State Bar. Boston is a partner at Shackelford Bowen McKinley & Norton LLP.
Josiah Daniel III is the author of three recent publications: “The MoUS[e] that Roared: The Manual of Usage & Style After a Half Century,” “What Can the Past Teach Today’s Bankruptcy Law Students, Lawyers, Judges, and Restructuring Professionals?: An Annotated Bibliography of Histories of Debt and Bankruptcy, and “Congressman Hatton Sumners’s 1928 Amendment to the Electoral Count Act” published in the LSN Legal History eJournal.
Jim Hill, a shareholder at Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel, has been selected for inclusion in the 29th Edition of Best Lawyers in America®. He has been named to the Best Lawyers list in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Commercial Litigation.
James Hill has been selected to receive the Business Law Section’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given each year to an attorney who over an extended period has made significant contributions to the Business Law Section or to business law generally in the State of California and who has achieved high status in the legal community. Hill is a founding member of Sullivan Hill, a member of its Executive Committee, and chair of the Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group.
Jim Hill has been selected as a 2022 Super Lawyer in the area of Bankruptcy: Business, an honor he has received for the last 16 years. A founding member of Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel in San Diego, Hill is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and chair of the Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group. He practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law.
Yvonne Puig, Chief Integration Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, was presented a Pathfinders Award by the Travis County Women Lawyers Association. The award is presented to local women attorneys who are using their law degrees in a variety of ways to impact the community and the legal profession as role models and trail blazers. Puig’s practice involves commercial and healthcare litigation, antitrust, regulatory and compliance advice, crisis and risk management, administrative law, and products liability.
Robert “Bob” H. Stanley was known for creatively using film to give the historical context of law to enrich students’ perspective of current legal decisions. From 1982–87, he served in several positions at Brown University. He served as visiting assistant professor of history at the University of New Hampshire from 1987–88, and then spent a year teaching at the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1989, Stanley began his career at Chico State and became an important asset to the legal studies program. He remained a member of the Texas State Bar all his life.
James “Jim” Hill has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 28th Edition of Best Lawyers in America.® He is a shareholder at Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel.
Pamelya Herndon has been appointed by the Bernalillo County Commission to District 28 in the New Mexico House of Representatives. She will serve this position until January of 2023. Before her appointment, Herndon served as the president and CEO of KWH Law Center for Social Justice and Change and the CEO of The Women’s Center for Social Justice and Change. She also worked with the Southwest Women’s Law Center, Herndon Legal Services, and the State of New Mexico.
Barry Abrams, who serves as chair of Blank Rome’s Pro Bono Committee, was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by Houston Volunteer Lawyers, a nonprofit service of the Houston Bar Association. Abrams has received this honor on behalf of his tremendous pro bono work.
Josiah Daniel has published “What I Said Was ‘Here Is Where I Cash In'”: the Instrumental Role of Congressman Hatton Sumners in the Resolution of the 1937 Court-Packing Crisis, 54 John Marshall Law Review 379 (June 11, 2021). Daniel continues archival work for his biography of Congressman Sumners, who chaired the House Judiciary Committee 1931-1947, overlapping the tenure of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel is pleased to announce that Shareholder Jim Hill has been selected as a 2021 Super Lawyer. Hill has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for the last fifteen years in the areas of Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, and Creditor Debtor Rights. A founding member of the firm, a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group, Hill practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law.
Jim Hill, of Sullivan Hill, has been recognized by San Diego Magazine as a 2021 Top Lawyer in San Diego in the field of Bankruptcy. A founding member of the firm, chair of its Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group, and member of its Executive Committee, Hill practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law. The list reflects those local attorneys who have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as 2021 AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated attorneys.
Bill Swart joined Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. as Shareholder in the firm’s Dallas office on March 1. Swart regularly represents clients in sale transactions, expansion strategies and recapitalizations. He has also gained experience with private equity structures and practices, managing expectations among buyers, sellers, lenders, management and other parties associated with complex transactions.
Mary Louise Porter Bailey died of ALS on Feb. 11, 2021 at home with her devoted family by her side. Bailey grew up in Buda, Texas, attended Duke University and then graduated from The University of Texas School of Law. She then moved to Houston in 1979 to practice law and was named partner at her firm. After moving back to Austin, in 2004 she assumed the role of Director of Alumni Relations at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and retired in 2017. Bailey is survived by her husband of 39 years, Scott Field Bailey, Jr.
Donald L. Gaffney, age 68, died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 3, 2020, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona after a multi-year battle with cancer. He joined Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. in 1989, where he was the leader of the firm’s Bankruptcy Group for over 25 years. His professional recognitions include The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, and many, many more. In 2018, Gaffney was presented the State Bar of Arizona Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Superhero Award. He was also active in many associations, including the Federal Bar Association, Phoenix Chapter where he was President from 2015-2016 and the Texas Law Executive Council of Alumni Association. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Phoenix Symphony.
Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel is pleased to announce that shareholder James “Jim” Hill, JD ’78 has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law as well as Commercial Litigation. Hill is a founding member of Sullivan Hill, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group.
Terence J. Hart is retired and was an FBI Agent, an ADA for Dallas County, an AUSA for the Northern District of Texas, and later went into private practice. He was a Partner in the Dallas offices of Akin Gump; Munsch Hardt; and Bracewell. During his career, he received the John Marshall Award for being the lead prosecutor on the I-30 Savings and Loan fraud case.
Attached is the link to an article published in UTSW Stamats about his battle with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma:
Josiah Daniel, Retired Partner in Residence of Vinson & Elkins LLP (Dallas office) and Visiting Scholar of the History Dept. of The University of Texas, has published “‘Even If a Party Has a Change of Heart’: A Framework for Enforcement of Courthouse-Steps Settlements in Cases and Proceedings in the Texas Bankruptcy Courts,” 52 TEX. TECH L. REV. 199 (2020). He is writing the biography of Congressman Hatton Sumners (1875-1962) who chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 1932-1947.
William H. Caudill, a partner in the Houston office of Norton Rose Fulbright, has been selected by the Texas Tax Section of the State Bar of Texas as Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer Award Winner 2019. Mr. Caudill has a general tax practice, with a focus on partnerships, oil and gas, real estate, and tax-exempt organizations. He also assists clients in the tax aspects of bankruptcy and financially troubled commercial transactions.
Sullivan Hill is pleased to announce that Shareholder Jim Hill ‘78 has been selected as a 2019 Super Lawyer. Each year no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive the honor of being included in the Super Lawyers list. Hill has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for the last 13 years in the areas of Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, and Creditor Debtor Rights.
Yvonne Puig ’78 received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the Health Law Council of the State Bar of Texas. The Distinguished Service Award is presented biannually to a Texas health lawyer who has encouraged the practice of health law, mentored lawyers new to the practice, fostered health law through participation in professional organizations or provided service to the Section or the community in matters related to health law.
The Phoenix based law firm of Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that partner Donald L. Gaffney was recognized by the State Bar of Arizona as the 2018 recipient of the Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Superhero Award. Gaffney accepted the award at the Bankruptcy Section breakfast held at the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona in Phoenix on October 4.
James Hill was selected as one of The Daily Transcript’s “50 Influential Leaders” in the San Diego business community for 2018. Every year, the Daily Transcript bestows the “Top Influential” title on 50 leaders in the community who have made an impact on the industry sectors that keep San Diego’s economic engine running. Mr. Hill, is a founding member of Sullivan Hill, member of its Executive Committee and chair of its Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group.
James Hill was given special recognition as Best Lawyers® 2019 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” in San Diego. A founding member of Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group, Hill practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law. He is also the inaugural Chair of the California Lawyers Association.
Sullivan Hill is pleased to announce that Jim Hill, has once again been recognized by the independent attorney rating service, Super Lawyers. Hill has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for the last 12 years in the areas of Bankruptcy, Business Litigation, and Creditor Debtor Rights.
On February 1, 2018, Cliff Ernst joined McGinnis Lochridge—a legal fixture in Austin for 90 years—as Partner. McGinnis Lochridge has a strong presence in Austin and Houston, providing legal counsel on business and financial matters, and advocating for clients before administrative agencies, at the state capitol, and in courthouses across Texas and throughout the Southwest.
James P. Hill was elected as the Chair of California Lawyers Association (CLA) by his fellow members of the CLA Board of Representatives. The CLA officially launched on January 1, 2018, shifting oversight of the 16 Sections together with the California Young Lawyers Association from the State Bar of California to a new voluntary bar association. CLA’s mission is focused on providing educational and networking opportunities.
Hill practices primarily in bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law.
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Robert Scott has been named a Law360 2017 MVP in recognition of his hard-earned successes in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals. Robert Scott practices in the area of civil litigation with primary emphasis on toxic tort defense and commercial litigation. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a member of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists.
Trusts & Estates magazine has announced the winners of its 2017 Distinguished Author awards. Marvin E. Blum, JD, CPA has been named the winner of the Trusts & Estates 2017 Distinguished Author award in the Thought Leadership category. Blum is a nationally-recognized estate planning expert known for creating customized, cutting-edge estate plans. His firm, The Blum Firm, P.C., has offices throughout Texas and has grown to be the largest group of estate planning attorneys in the state.
James P. Hill ’78 was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 24th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Hill is a founding member of Sullivan Hill, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group, Hill practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law.
Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel is pleased to announce that Jim Hill has been listed in San Diego Magazine as 2017 Top Lawyers in San Diego. Mr. Hill is the founding member of the firm, member of its Executive Committee and chair of the firm’s Insolvency and Commercial Bankruptcy practice group. Hill practices primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and commercial law. His bankruptcy experience includes representation of creditors, bankruptcy trustees and select bankruptcy debtors in Chapter 11 business reorganization cases. He also works regularly with clients on asset sales and acquisitions, on state and federal court receivership cases, and on business workouts and dissolution matters, among other commercial law matters.
James P. Hill, a shareholder of the San Diego, CA, law firm Sullivan Hill Lewin Rez & Engel, was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 23rd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Additionally, Hill was also recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2017 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law “Lawyer of the Year” in San Diego.
William H. Caudill, a partner in the Houston office of Norton Rose Fulbright, has been selected to the chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation, the nation’s largest organization of tax lawyers.. Mr. Caudill, who previously served as the ABA’s Section of Taxation’s chair-elect, has a general tax practice, with a focus on partnerships, oil and gas, real estate, and tax-exempt organizations. He also assists clients in the tax aspects of bankruptcy and financially troubled commercial transactions.